Characterization of mineral insulated cables at the WWR-K reactor: First results

Abstract

At the WWR-K reactor, studies were started on the radiation resistance of signal cables with two types of mineral insulation (MgO and Al2O3). It is planned to accumulate fluence of fast neutrons ∼ 1020 cm−2 in cables. The irradiation temperature will be 500 ± 50 °C. The in-situ study of the degradation of the electrical properties of the insulation of signal cables will be carried out. This paper presents a capsule design, the results of complex calculations for the development of the capsule design, the expected neutron fluences, the dpa in steel, the technique for in-reactor measurement of electrical characteristics, and a work plan for the further studies. It is shown that the developed capsule forms the necessary conditions for irradiation. In particular, the temperature control range is 400–600 °C. The cable irradiation time until the target neutron fluence is reached will be about 100 effective days.